“The catalyst for groundbreaking advancements at the intersection of materials science and AI.”

Over the past decade, his innovative use of artificial intelligence to power scientific research has advanced the discovery of transformative materials with applications in healthcare, clean energy production and the development of sustainable technologies and infrastructure.

“What attracted me to U of T was the remarkable commitment to excellence in AI-based research in the chemical sciences, as well as the outstanding, world-renowned academic environment,” Prof. von Lilienfeld says. “I’m part of a team of researchers who are deepening our understanding of the rules that govern the behaviour of matter.”

The various dimensions of the professor’s role at U of T reflect the cross-disciplinary nature of his field. His appointment is shared between the Department of Chemistry and the Department of Materials Science & Engineering. He is also a faculty member of the Vector Institute, joining a community of creative problem-solvers dedicated to advancing Canadian research on AI and its potential to fuel economic growth. And he is on the scientific leadership team of the global Acceleration Consortium, a U of T-based network of researchers who are using AI and robotics to hasten the development of beneficial materials that don’t currently exist.

Among the many compelling reasons that brought Prof. von Lilienfeld to U of T, one other factor helped clinch his decision: being the first appointee to the Clark Chair in Advanced Materials. Funded by an endowed gift from Ed and Fran Clark, the Clark Chair reflects the commitment of these long-time U of T donors to fostering excellence in teaching and research, with a particular focus on harnessing the potential of AI to transform society.

“This generous endowment has been the catalyst for groundbreaking advancements at the intersection of materials science and AI,” says Prof. von Lilienfeld. “It’s enabling the rapid discovery of new materials that can be used to address critical global challenges.”

Accelerating innovation

This commitment to increasing the pace of discovery by investing in transformative technologies is core to the purpose of the Acceleration Consortium.Established at U of T in 2020, the network is one of many created through the university’s Institutional Strategic Initiatives (ISI) program, which enables interdisciplinary research through collaboration with industry, community and philanthropic partners. The Acceleration Consortium brings together innovators in academia, business and government to speed up the design and commercialization of sustainable materials that outperform traditional materials in terms of resilience, cost and environmental impact.

What makes accelerated development possible is a new model at the heart of the discovery process: the self-driving lab, which combines AI, automation and “high-throughput” experimentation – pursuing multiple experiments simultaneously – to rapidly create and test new materials and molecules. Examples of potential impact include improved drug delivery systems, more energy-efficient electronic devices and construction materials that are lighter, stronger and corrosion-resistant – to name just a few of the avenues being explored by Consortium members around the world. “I strongly believe that the Acceleration Consortium will play a crucial role in synchronizing efforts not only at the technical but also at the societal level,” Prof. von Lilienfeld says. “We are at the dawn of truly digitizing the chemical sciences, with unprecedented advantages for humanity at large.”

Visionary leadership

This potential for creating broader social impact is important for Ed and Fran Clark, who have championed many philanthropic initiatives, in addition to advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and people experiencing homelessness. As U of T alumni (they met while students at University College in the late 1960s), the Clarks have been energetic supporters of their alma mater through the university’s Boundless and Defy Gravity campaigns.

In 2014, after a distinguished career in the public and private sectors, Ed retired as CEO of the TD Bank Group. He has since taken on a number of leadership roles in the community, including as founding chair of the Vector Institute. His passionate belief in the transformative power of AI inspired his vision for the Clark Chair.

“We were thrilled to welcome Prof. von Lilienfeld in this role,” Ed says. “Canadians can look to the Acceleration Consortium and the Vector Institute to tackle the immense challenges that impact their lives, by driving the discovery of new materials for more environmentally conscious products, greener energy and better medicine, among other industrial applications. Anatole is a tremendous asset to both initiatives as he helps advance collaborative efforts to address those challenges. His work underlines the growing importance of U of T – and Toronto – as global centres of AI-based research.”

Thanks to support from the Clarks and thousands of other generous donors, U of T was able to invest $1.05 billion in chairs and professorships during the university fiscal year ending April 30, 2024 — about 29% of the total $3.62 billion in endowment funds under UTAM’s management during that period.*